Gaganyaan-1

Gaganyaan-1
NamesG1
Mission typeUncrewed flight test
OperatorISRO
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftGaganyaan
ManufacturerHindustan Aeronautics Limited
Start of mission
Launch dateFebruary 2025 (planned) [1]
RocketHLVM3
Launch siteSatish Dhawan Space Centre
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit

Gaganyaan-1 (from Sanskrit: gagana, "celestial" and yāna, "craft, vehicle") will be the first uncrewed test flight of the Gaganyaan programme, with launch tentatively planned for sometime in February 2025.

Background

The launch was originally scheduled for December 2020,[2] then in December 2021,[3] but it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] The flight plan was finally ready by April 2022[4] and the launch is expected to take place in 2024,[5] after the TV-D1, TV-D2, TV-D3 and TV-D4.[6] It was proposed in April 2022 that the crew module should be depressurized,[7] something kept in the final planning.[8]

The first orbiter module adaptor assembly (OMA) was supplied by Kineco Kaman Composites on 23 December 2023. The OMA is a conical structure with a diameter of 4 meters, composed of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers. It is combined with the equipment bay shroud and crew escape module.[9] With the successful qualification of the rocket's engines in February 2024,[10] the mission was scheduled for December 2024, following which it was rescheduled to February 2025.

Mission objectives

The Gaganyaan spacecraft will be launched, with the humanoid robot Vyommitra, by a Human-rated LVM 3 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre and inserted into a 170 x 408 km orbit.[11][12] The circularisation maneuver will be performed at the third orbit. The landing should follow the same pattern as the TV-D1.[4][13]

After this mission, ISRO will perform four more abort tests before launching Gaganyaan 2,[6] carrying the humanoid robot Vyommitra,[14] which was later decided that it will also fly on G-1.[15]

Mission History

Pre launch processing

The L110 stage for the upgraded LVM3 vehicle arrived at Satish Dhawan Space Center in July 2024, followed by the S200 boosters. A Different Upper stage, the C-32, will be used in lieu of the C-25 for this mission. The C-32 undervent heavy tests for the flight.[16]

The Crew module was tested and checked out from its propulsion and mechanical systems testing phase at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and the service module was tested at URSC.G1 will carry Vyomitra, and also an unpressurized engineering model of the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) system.[16]

ISRO is planning to place chartered ships carrying a group of eight scientists to be stationed at observation points in the Pacific Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, to monitor the unmanned mission.A consignment with a shipborne terminal (SBT), electronic equipment, MV-SAT antennas and its associated subsystems will be sent abroad from ISTRAC for deployment on these chartered ships. This is similar to what was done for the launch of the Mars Orbiter Mission.[17][18][19] By December 2024, all components of the first Human Rated LVM-3 has reached SDSC. The spacecraft was also reported as in its final stages of Integration.The ground station and associated infrastructure was also built before launch.[20]

The first segment of solid motor was transferred from the production factory to the launch complex on December 13, 2024.[21]

References

  1. ^ https://www.theweek.in/news/sci-tech/2024/12/19/why-human-rated-lvm3-will-be-crucial-for-gaganyaan-mission.html#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20specifically%20enhanced,date%20set%20for%20February%202025.
  2. ^ a b Jones, Andrew (2021-02-23). "India revises Gaganyaan human spaceflight plan, delays Chandrayaan-3". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  3. ^ "First uncrewed mission of Gaganyaan in December: It's race against time for ISRO now". The Hindu. 2021-06-28. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  4. ^ a b Kumar, Chethan (2022-04-28). "First Gaganyaan uncrewed module to be injected in 170x408km orbit; indicates human spaceflight profile". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  5. ^ Desk, Janam Web (2024-02-28). "Why were the names of Gaganyaan passengers revealed a year before its launch?". janamtv.com. Retrieved 2024-02-28. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  6. ^ a b "Chennai: Indian Space Research Organisation to carry out series of tests before launch of Gaganyaan". The Times of India. 2022-07-01. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  7. ^ Kumar, Chethan (2022-04-29). "Gaganyaan: First uncrewed mission to have unpressurised crew module". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  8. ^ Marar, Anjali; Dutt, Anonna (2024-02-27). "PM Modi announces 4 astronauts for Gaganyaan: Current status of the mission". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  9. ^ "Pilerne-based Kineco Kaman delivers key component for Isro's human space mission". The Times of India. 2023-12-23. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  10. ^ Kumar, Chetan (2024-02-21). "Gaganyaan: Cryo engine qualification for human-rated LVM-3 completed". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  11. ^ Kumar, Chethan (2023-07-15). "Chandrayaan-3 a shot in the arm for Gaganyaan-1". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  12. ^ Jones, Andrew (2024-08-27). "India to launch Gaganyaan crew capsule test flight by end of 2024". Space.com. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  13. ^ "Mission Gaganyaan: Better safe than starry". The Economic Times. 2022-05-18. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  14. ^ "First trial for Gaganyaan to be done by end of 2023, or beginning of 2024: Jitendra Singh". The Times of India. 2022-09-13. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  15. ^ Kuthunur, Sharmila (2024-02-27). "India completes critical test for Gaganyaan flight crewed by humanoid robot later this year". space.com. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  16. ^ a b "Docking test likely before Dec 15; Gaganyaan G1: Vyomitra on 1 seat, ECLSS on 2nd, rocket gets new cryo stage". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  17. ^ "Gaganyaan's Unmanned Mission May Go To Space Next March, ISRO Ships To Track From Pacific, Atlantic Oceans". News18. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
  18. ^ Livemint, Livemint (25 November 2024). "Gaganyaan's unmanned mission likely in March next year; ISRO to track from Pacific, Atlantic oceans". Livemint. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  19. ^ "Gaganyaan mission: ISRO gives good news, mission to be launched in..., plan includes..." India.com. 2024-11-25. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
  20. ^ "Countdown begins: India's Gaganyaan space mission enters final preparation phase". The Indian Express. 2024-12-10. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  21. ^ "ISRO Achieves Significant Milestone For Gaganyaan Mission". NDTV.com. 14 December 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-16.

Bibliography